People handling across the lifespan: People handling and bariatric care

Supporting clients with bariatric needs is a growing challenge for healthcare providers. As the number and complexity of bariatric presentations continues to grow, physiotherapists are often called to find solutions for patient care, treatment, and mobility; balancing complex client needs with worker and carer safety.

This session will discuss:
• The challenges that clients, clinicians, and carers face during a bariatric presentation
• Principles for providing bariatric care as a service provider, and as an individual clinician
• Leveraging the patient’s ability to assist in their care and understanding the impact different bariatric body shapes have on movement
• Current equipment strategies and solutions
• Where to find further support

The presenters will be sharing from their experience in the acute sector; however, many of the principles discussed will be applicable across a range of healthcare settings.

Presenters

Jenni Robertson, APAM, is an Adelaide-based physiotherapist with a Masters in Ergonomics, Safety and Health. Jenni has many years of experience working in an Occupational Health Physiotherapy role within the Public Health system, with the goal of improving the wellbeing and safety of workers. This includes assessing and providing training and guidance for workers undertaking challenging manual handling tasks, which includes working with patients living with obesity.

Chris Jayne, APAM, is a physiotherapist who works across the Central Adelaide Local Health Network in South Australia. She has many years of experience in the Occupational Health and Injury Management setting and completed a Masters in Ergonomics Safety and Health at La Trobe University. As part of her role in an acute hospital setting, she provides manual tasks guidance to workers caring for patients living with obesity. Balancing their needs with worker safety and working towards improving the systems in place to manage this.

Host

Occupational Health National Group

Date of Live Event

05/08/2025

CPD Hours

1.0 Hour

Please note: The content of this Lecture on Demand (LOD) was captured via a recording of a live lecture at the APA premises. Due to the nature of the event and the recording method, this LOD may not have captured some of the questions/comments from live audience. Your purchase of this module indicates your acceptance of this.